How Do You Spell NUCLEOTIDES?

Pronunciation: [njˈuːklɪˌɒta͡ɪdz] (IPA)

Nucleotides, /ˈnjuː.klɪ.ə.taɪdz/, are the building blocks of DNA and RNA. The word is spelled with five syllables and has a stress pattern of nu-CLE-o-tides. The initial "nu" is pronounced with a long "u" sound, followed by a short "i" in the second syllable. The stress is on the third syllable "cle." The final syllable "tides" is pronounced with a long "i" and a voiced "z" sound. Correct spelling of nucleotides is important in the field of genetics and molecular biology.

NUCLEOTIDES Meaning and Definition

  1. Nucleotides, in the field of molecular biology and genetics, are organic molecules that serve as the basic building blocks of nucleic acids. They are composed of three main components: a nitrogenous base, a five-carbon sugar, and a phosphate group.

    The nitrogenous base can be one of four types: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C), or guanine (G). These bases are crucial as they form the genetic code that carries instructions for the synthesis of proteins and the regulation of cellular functions.

    The five-carbon sugar found in nucleotides is either deoxyribose in the case of DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) or ribose in the case of RNA (ribonucleic acid). The sugar component provides structural stability while also facilitating the bonding between nucleotides to form nucleic acid chains.

    The phosphate group, consisting of phosphorus and oxygen atoms, connects the sugar of one nucleotide to the phosphate group of the adjacent nucleotide. This linkage forms the backbone of the nucleic acid chains.

    Nucleotides play a crucial role in various biological processes, such as DNA replication, RNA synthesis, and protein synthesis. They also participate in energy transfer reactions and serve as important signaling molecules within cells.

    Understanding the structure and function of nucleotides has significantly contributed to our knowledge of genetics and molecular biology, allowing scientists to unravel the complexities of life and develop advances in areas such as medicine, biotechnology, and agriculture.

Common Misspellings for NUCLEOTIDES

Etymology of NUCLEOTIDES

The word "nucleotide" originates from the Latin words "nucleus" and "in" with the suffix "-osus".

"Nucleus" refers to the central part or core, often associated with the cell's nucleus that contains genetic material. "In" is a Latin preposition meaning "in" or "inside", and the suffix "-osus" indicates full of or possessing the quality of something.

Therefore, "nucleotide" can be understood as something that is "full of nucleus" or "possessing nucleus", referring to their role in genetic materials and being the building blocks of DNA and RNA molecules.

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